Behind high-quality education, there is always someone carefully overseeing the curriculum, supporting teachers, and connecting different parts of the learning process so that everything makes sense. At our school, this role is held by Renata Weir, Academic Coordinator at Maple Bear Prague. Renata supervises academic content, conducts teacher evaluations, collaborates with Canadian experts, and is the right hand of our school principal. Thanks to her work, our children not only gain solid foundations in each subject but also benefit from an integrated and innovative curriculum that prepares them for success in the world.
The position of Academic Coordinator is not common in Czech education, which is why we asked Renata some fundamental questions to help you get to know her and her work better.
Can you tell us more about what your day-to-day work as an Academic Coordinator involves?
As an academic coordinator, I make sure that teaching at our school is of high quality, aligned with both the Czech and Canadian (Maple Bear) curricula, and that children enjoy their learning experience.
I support our teachers methodically – helping them with lesson planning, sharing ideas, and ensuring that the Czech and Canadian programs connect smoothly. I regularly visit classrooms to observe lessons and work with teachers on ways to further develop and improve teaching and learning.
Another part of my work is organizing professional development for teachers – workshops, training sessions, and other opportunities that help them grow and bring fresh ideas into their classrooms.
I also help create the school’s additional programs – both educational and sports – that support our school’s vision and help children develop not only academically, but also personally.
My goal is to make learning meaningful, connected, and to ensure that every child can develop their potential in a safe, engaging, and friendly environment.
Why did you personally choose Maple Bear, and what attracted you to this concept?
I chose Maple Bear because it perfectly reflects what I believe meaningful education should be. I have been working in an international environment for more than 15 years and have seen firsthand how high-quality bilingual education positively influences children – not only in terms of language, but also in their overall development. As a parent of bilingual children myself, I can also see these benefits from a personal perspective.
What attracted me most to the Maple Bear concept is its unique combination of the Canadian approach to education – which values curiosity, collaboration, and learning through experience – with respect for the local (Czech) curriculum. I strongly believe that the child should be at the centre of the learning process, and that education should be engaging, inspiring, and bring joy both to children and teachers.
For me, Maple Bear represents a place where children learn to think, explore, and create, while developing a lifelong love of learning – and that’s exactly what I want to be part of.
What is it like to work with both the Czech and the Canadian (international) team at the same time?
Working with both the Czech and Canadian teams is truly inspiring. Each brings a slightly different perspective – the Canadian approach encourages creativity, openness, and nurturing children’s curiosity, while the Czech team brings rich teaching experience and a deep understanding of the local context. Together, we create an environment where children can naturally grow and explore new things.
What do you appreciate most about the Canadian methodology, and how do you think it naturally complements or enriches the Czech educational approach?
What I appreciate most about the Canadian approach is its focus on children’s curiosity, creativity, and active involvement in learning. It encourages children to explore, ask questions, and learn in a natural way. The Czech approach complements this with clear structure and organization, helping children learn in a purposeful and organized manner. Together, these approaches create an environment where children can grow freely while developing essential skills and habits.
In your opinion, where do the Czech and Canadian approaches to education align the most? What would you say are their main points of connection?
The Czech and Canadian approaches share a focus on putting the child at the center of learning and supporting their active involvement, independent thinking, and overall development. Both approaches also emphasize high-quality, engaging, and meaningful learning, where children learn through practical experiences and gradually build their skills.
Can you walk us through the process of integrating the Czech and Canadian curricula – and what did you personally find most challenging in this work?
Integrating the Czech and Canadian curricula is a gradual process that doesn’t happen overnight. It requires planning, evaluation, and reflection, and often calls for flexible responses to the needs of both children and teachers. For me personally, the biggest challenge is finding the right balance so that teaching remains meaningful and engaging while staying aligned with both curricula. There is always room for improvement, and this dynamic is what I find inspiring and motivating – every day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow.
At the school, you offer a Preparatory Class (Grade 0), which is quite unique within the Czech educational system. In your opinion, what is its greatest benefit for the children?
I see the preparatory (zero) year as a wonderful opportunity to give children a smooth and confident start to their school journey. In a safe and supportive environment, they gradually get used to the school routine, learn to cooperate, focus, and develop key skills they’ll need in Grade 1. A big advantage is that learning takes place in a playful way while children naturally become part of a bilingual environment, acquiring English without pressure.
The preparatory year helps children build confidence, independence, and a positive attitude toward learning – strong foundations to build on in the years ahead.
Parents are often interested in what knowledge and skills children will have upon completing their education at Maple Bear. Could you please describe the level the children will reach and what options they will have for further studies?
Upon completing Maple Bear, children acquire key competencies that prepare them for further education in any system – Czech or international. They develop critical thinking, collaboration, and independence, are confident in both languages, and can adapt flexibly to different educational challenges.
Maple Bear graduates have a wide range of opportunities for further studies – they can continue in regular Czech schools, bilingual programs, or international programs. The main benefit is that children leave confident, self-assured, and with a positive attitude toward learning, enabling them to succeed in any educational environment.
If you are curious about the details of how we teach mathematics, why we chose not to use the Hejného method, or the magic of our connected Czech-Canadian curriculum, Renata will be happy to explain everything in person. Join us at our Open Days to see what a typical day looks like for children at Maple Bear and get answers to all your questions. We look forward to welcoming you!
